Bed and cylinder printing machines



June 6, 1967 v. F. MELNIKOV 3,323,453

BED AND CYLINDER PRINTING MACHINES Filed Jan. 26, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENT OR ATTORNEY June 6, 1967 v. P. MELNIKOV 3,323,453

BED AND CYLINDER PRINTING MACHINES Filed Jan. 26, 1965 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG? INVENT OR ATTORNEY June 6, 1967 v. P. MELNIKCV BED AND CYLINDER PRINTING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 26, 1965 INVENT OR ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,323,453 BED AND CYLINDER PRINTING MACHINES Vasily Petrovich Meinilrov, Leningrad, U.S.S.R., assignor to Leningradsky Elektromelrhanichesky zavod, Leningrad, U.S.S.R.

Filed Jan. 26, 1965, Ser. No. 428,140 3 Claims. (Cl. 101251) The present invention relates to printing machines, and, more particularly to machines for printing letters and numbers upon fiat articles, such as, manufacturers plates to be attached to various machines and instruments. Such a plate usually bears inscriptions identifying the instrument (its name, model, specifications, date of manufacture, etc.) and the serial number of the instrument. As previously known in the art, printing of such inscriptions and imprinting (or embossing) of serial numbers have been carried out in two separate operations. Quite obviously, such multiplicity of operations in producing, for example, manufacture-rs plates of the type described above, reduces the production rate and adversely affects the quality.

Attempts have been made to overcome said difficulties, but they proved to be of no practical value, whereas I have successfully solved the problem and brought it to practical realization.

It is, therefore, a principal object of the present invention to provide a machine for a simultaneous printing of inscriptions upon fiat articles, preferably by letter-press offset technique, and imprinting serial numbers, preferably by letter-press technique.

A specific object of the present invention is to provide a printing machine for a simultaneous printing of inscriptions and imprinting serial numbers upon flat articles,

'such as metal manufacturers plates to be attached to machines and instruments, with a higher quality being obtained owing to the fact that printing is performed at one stroke of the type bed.

According to the present invention, a machine for a simultaneous printing of inscriptions and imprinting serial numbers comprises a blanket cylinder, inking arrangements, a number printing cylinder, a type bed adapted for reciprocation along guideways fixedly secured to the supporting frame of the machine, the type bed having at least two toothed racks secured thereto, the racks intermeshing in operation with toothed wheels mounted for free rotation on the journals of the shafts of the blanket and number printing cylinders, and the wheels operatively connected with the cylinders through free-wheeling clutch means.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention the machine is especially adapted for printing identification data and serial numbers upon metal manufacturers plates to be attached to various instruments or machines.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth. It is understood that certain modifications can be made in the preferred embodiment Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, as indicated in the claims to follow.

Other objects and advantages will become aparent from the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a printing machine, constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the printing machine with the number printing cylinder;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the number printing cylinder;

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FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the numbering mechanism; and

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same numbering mechanism.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a printing machine according to the present invention comprises a type bed 1, a blanket cylinder 2, a number printing cylinder 3, inking arrangements and a hydraulic drive system. The type bed has a flat portion 4 for mounting a printing form and a springloaded cushion plate 5 for sup orting the article to be printed upon. Fixedly secured to the type bed 1 are two toothed racks 6, a cam member 7 and two pairs of adjustable stops 8 and 9.

Disposed within recesses of the blanket cylinder 2 are clamping strips 11 and 10 for holding and tightening a rubber blanket 12.

The number printing cylinder 3 is provided with a numbering mechanism (FIGS. 4 and 5) of any suitable form of digit transfer arrangement. The numbering mechanism is adapted to be actuated by a sliding block 13 Which engages the cam member 7 when the type bed 1 is set in motion. The sliding block 13 is connected with a slide 15 through a stud 14. The slide 15 is connected with a frame 17 through another stud 16. Freely mounted onto a shaft 18 supported by the frame 17 is a springbiased comb piece 19 engaging in operation the ratchet wheels of printing-character carrying discs 20. The sliding block 13 is under the action of a spring 21.

The number printing cylinder 3 is mounted for rotation in sliding bearings, and toothed wheel 22 (FIG. 3) are mounted on the shaft journals.

The wheels are connected with the number printing cylinder through free-wheeling undirectional clutch means 23 and at the same time intermesh with the teeth of racks 6. To prevent rotation of the number printing cylinder in the direction opposite to the direction of its rotation at printing a serial number on the article, free-wheeling clutches 24 are used, whose internal discs are fixedly secured onto the journals of the number printing cylinder shaft, While their external discs are fixedly secured to the sidewalls of the supporting frame of the machine.

The connection between the blanket cylinder 2 and the racks 6 is similar to the one described above.

The inking arrangements (see FIGS. 2) comprise an ink fountain 25, a fountain roller 26, an oscillating roller 27, five distirbuting rollers 28 and two pairs of inking rollers 29 and 30. The rollers 29 apply ink onto the printing form mounted on the type bed, while the rollers 3! apply ink onto the printing characters disposed along the periphery of the character-carrying discs of the numbering mechanism. Two intermediate rollers 31 and 32 are provided with a pair of toothed wheels each, the wheels being secured to the roller shafts at the opposite ends thereof and engaged in operation with the toothed racks 6 secured to the type bed, whereby the rollers 31 and 32 are driven for rotation and transmit their rotation to two of the five distributing rollers. The rest of the distributing rollers receive their rotation from the said two rollers, as well as from the inking rollers 30 which are drivingly connected with the toothed wheels 22 through friction-type coupling means (not shown). The inking roller 29 receive their rotation also through friction coupling means in a similar way,

The fountain roller 26 is driven for rotation by levers 33 engaging in operation the stops 3 through two free-wheeling clutches mounted on the shaft carrying levers 33, and a gear train. The oscillating roller 27 is mounted for free rotation on arms 34 which are springbiased to bring the oscillating roller against the fountain roller 26, whereas a cam 35 fixed onto the fountain roller shaft periodically urges the roller 27 into engagement with the first roller of the distributing group.

The hydraulic drive system of the printing machine (see FIG. 2) comprises a container 36 filled with working fluid (oil, for example), a gear pump 37 connected to the container via suction line 38, a filter 39 connected with the pressure side of the gear pump of a control shuttle valve 40 with tubes of the pressure line of the system connected therewith. Also connected to the shuttle valve 40 is line 41 by which the working fluid can return into the container. Interposed within the pressure line of the system are manually operable valves 42 and a pressure gauge 43.

The outlet side of the filter 39 is connected via pressure line 44 with a control panel 45 accommodating a control shuttle valve 46, throttle valves 47, check valves 48, a second shuttle valve 49 and a control handle 50. A hydraulic cylinder 52 has a piston 56 slidably mounted therein. The piston is secured to the end of a rod 57 of which the other end is rigidly connected with the type bed 1 of the machine. The ends of the cylinder 52 are connected with the control panel 45: the end where the rod enters the cylinder via line 53, and the opposite end via line 51.

Connected to the control panel are also lines 54 and 55 for returning the working fluid into the container.

The operation of the machine is as follows:

The gear pump 37 draws the working fluid from the contatiner 36 via suction line 38 and discharges it through the filter 39, line 44, control panel 45 (where the control valve 49 is set into its on position by the manual handle 50) and line 53 into the chamber of the cylinder to the right of the piston 56 (i.e. the chamber with the rod therein), whereby the piston is driven to the left and moves the type bed 1 rigidly connected with the end of the piston-carrying rod 57 in the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 2.

When the type bed makes its stroke to the left, the fountain roller 26 is repeatedly driven for rotation in the manner described above, whereby ink from the fountain 25 is taken off the surface of the fountain roller 26 by the oscillating roller 27 carried by the arms 34 which, as explained above, are spring-biased to press the roller 27 against the fountain roller 26. During one full revolution of the fountain roller 26 the cam 35 repeatedly drives the oscillating roller 27 to the right and makes it contact the surface of the first distributor to transfer the ink thereupon. The distributing group feeds the ink onto the inking rollers 29 and 30. When the piston 56 drives the type bed 1 to the left (as indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 2), the latter performs its full operating stroke, during which the blanket cylinder 2 and the number printing cylinder 3 make two full clockwise revolutions each.

During the first one of said two revolutions of the blanket cylinder, the latter receives impression from the printing form mounted onto the flat portion 4 of the type bed 1. During the first revolution of the number printing cylinder 3 ink is applied onto the faces of the printing character carried by the discs of the numbering mechanism.

During its second revolution, the blanket cylinder transfers (or offsets) the impression onto the surface of the article to be printed upon, mounted onto the springsupported cushion plate 5. When the number printing cylinder 3 makes its second revolution, it imprints the serial number upon the same article.

When the serial number is being printed, the sliding block 13 engages the fixed cam 7 and compresses the spring 31. As the type bed moves on, the cam 7 passes by the number printing cylinder, whereby the sliding block 13 carried by the number printing cylinder leaves the cam 7 and returns to its initial position in relation to the cylinder under the action of the spring 31. During the return movement of the sliding block 13 the latter actuates the slide which operates the numbering mechanism through parts 17 and 19, whereby the succeeding serial number is set.

After the type bed has per-formed its full operating stroke, the stops 9 carried thereby actuate the control valve on the panel for connecting the pressure line to the opposite end of the cylinder 52, whereby the type bed is driven for a return stroke. During the return stroke of the type bed 1 the blanket cylinder and the number printing cylinder stay immobile on account of the freewheeling clutches 23 transmitting rotation in one direction only. Counter-clockwise rotation of the cylinders is positively prevented by two free-wheeling clutches 24 of the numbering cylinder and two similar clutches of the blanket cylinder.

As the type bed performs its return stroke, the imprinted article and the printing form pass freely under the two cylinders on account of the latter being stopped at the end of the working stroke of the type bed with their recessed portions facing downward. Ink is applied onto the printing form during both working and return strokes of the type bed.

When the return stroke of the type bed is completed, the stops 9 operate the control panel for reversing the motion of the type bed after an interval of time needed for removing the imprinted article and mounting a new one. The arrangement of the controls (see FIG. 2) can provide for the adjustment of the duration of such an interval.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine for printing identification data upon flat articles, such as manufacturers plates to be attached to instruments and machinery, comprising a stationary supporting frame; inking arrangements supported by said frame; a type bed adapted for carrying type matter and the article to be printed upon mounted for reciprocation on said frame; means for reciprocating said type bed; a blanket cylinder for printing inscriptions upon said articles journalled in said frame; a number printing cylinder for printing the serial number upon said article also journalled in said frame; at least two toothed racks fixedly secured to said type bed; a plurality of toothed wheels mounted for free rotation on the journals of the shafts of said blanket and number printing cylinders, said toothed Wheels being engaged in operation with said toothed racks; a first plurality of free-wheeling clutch means carried by said blanket and number printing cylinders and operatively connected with said toothed wheels; and a second plurality of free-wheeling clutch means also carried by said blanket and number printing cylinders and operatively connected with said stationary supporting frame.

2. A machine for printing identification data upon fiat articles, such as manufacturers plates to be attached to instruments and machinery, comprising a stationary supporting frame; inking arrangements supported by said frame; a type bed adapted for carrying type matter and the article to be printed upon mounted for reciprocation on said frame; means for reciprocating said type bed; a blanket cylinder for printing inscriptions upon said articles journalled in said frame; a number printing cylinder for printing the serial number upon said article also journalled in said frame; two sliding blocks connected in operation with each other, said blocks being carried by said number printing cylinder; cam means fixed to the type bed and engageable in operation with one of said sliding blocks; a numbering mechanism mounted on said number printing cylinder engageable with the other one of said sliding blocks; at least two toothed racks fixedly secured to said type bed; a plurality of toothed wheels mounted for free rotation on the journals of the shafts of said blanket and number printing cylinders, said toothed wheels being engaged in operation with said toothed racks; a first plurality of free-wheeling clutch means carried by said blanket and number printing cylinders and operatively connected to said toothed wheels; and a second plurality of free-wheeling clutch means also carried by said blanket and number printing cylinders and operatively connected to said stationary supporting frame.

3. A machine for printing identification data upon fiat articles, such as manufacturers plates to be attached to instruments and machinery, comprising a stationary supporting frame; inking arrangements supported by said frame; a type bed adapted for carrying type matter and the article to be printed upon, mounted for reciprocation on said frame; means for reciprocating said type bed; a blanket cylinder for printing inscriptions upon said article journalled in said frame; a number printing cylinder for printing the serial number upon said article also journalled in said frame; two sliding blocks connected in operation to each other, said blocks being carried by said number printing cylinder; cam means fixed to said type bed and engageable in operation with one of said sliding blocks; a numbering mechanism mounted on said number printing cylinder engageable with the other one of said sliding blocks; at least two toothed racks fixedly secured to said type bed; a plurality of toothed wheels mounted for free rotation on the journals of the shafts of said blanket and number printing cylinders, said toothed wheels being engaged in operation with said toothed racks; a first plurality of free-wheeling clutch means carried by said blanket and number printing cylinders and operatively connected to said toothed Wheels; a second plurality of free-wheeling clutch means also carried by said blanket and number printing cylinders and operatively connected to said stationary supporting frame; and a roller of said inking arrangements mounted for oscillations between the fountain roller and the first distributor of said inking arrangements, said oscillating roller being operatively connected to said toothed racks.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1897 Scott 101146 X 4/1926 Low 101-186 W. F. MCCARTHY, H. P. EWELL,

Assistant Examiners. 

1. A MACHINE FOR PRINTING IDENTIFICATION DATA UPON FLAT ARTICLES, SUCH AS MANUFACTURER''S PLATES TO BE ATTACHED TO INSTRUMENTS AND MACHINERY, COMPRISING A STATIONARY SUPPORTING FRAME; INKING ARRANGEMENTS SUPPORTED BY SAID FRAME; A TYPE BED ADAPTED FOR CARRYING TYPE MATTER AND THE ARTICLE TO BE PRINTED UPON MOUNTED FOR RECIPROCATION ON SAID FRAME; MEANS FOR RECIPROCATING SAID TYPE BED; A BLANKET CYLINDER FOR PRINTING INSCRIPTIONS UPON SAID ARTICLES JOURNALLED IN SAID FRAME; A NUMBER PRINTING CYLINDER FOR PRINTING THE SERIAL NUMBER UPON SAID ARTICLE ALSO JOURNALLED IN SAID FRAME; AT LEAST TWO TOOTHED RACKS FIXEDLY SECURED TO SAID TYPE BED; A PLURALITY OF TOOTHED WHEELS MOUNTED FOR FREE ROTATION ON THE JOURNALS OF THE SHAFTS OF SAID BLANKET AND NUMBER PRINTING CYLINDERS, SAID TOOTHED WHEELS BEING ENGAGED IN OPERATION WITH SAID TOOTHED RACKS; A FIRST PLURALITY OF FREE-WHEELING CLUTCH MEANS CARRIED BY SAID BLANKET AND NUMBER PRINTING CYLINDERS AND OPERATIVELY CONNECTED WITH SAID TOOTHED WHEELS; AND A SECOND PLURALITY OF FREE-WHEELING CLUTCH MEANS ALSO CARRIED BY SAID BLANKET AND NUMBER PRINTING CYLINDERS AND OPERATIVELY CONNECTED WITH SAID STATIONARY SUPPORTING FRAME. 